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Top 10 Amazing Facts about Henri Nouwen

Henri J. M. Nouwen was a Catholic priest and bestselling author who wrestled with his own homosexuality. Nouwen was a spiritual thinker and writer who wrote about the life of Jesus and the love of God in ways that have inspired countless people to trust God more fully.

Henri was born on January 24, 1932, in Nijikerk, Netherland.  He was a gifted preacher who embodied the inherent incongruities of integrating life and spirit. His honesty was both enthralling and unsettling.

When Henri embraced his own emotional and spiritual frailty as a conduit for discovering his status as God’s beloved, readers responded.

Let’s look at some of his amazing facts;

1. Henri Nouwen’s ordainment as a  Catholic Priest

Nouwen was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Utrecht on July 21, 1957, by Bernadus Alfrink at St. Cathrine Diocese of Utrecht.

^  Eager to learn more about himself and the people he counseled, Nouwen requested permission from Alfrink to study psychology instead of theology. His request was granted and from 1957 to 1964 he studied at the Catholic University of Nijmegen. 

In studying the fundamentals of clinical psychology, Nouwen struggled with the lack of interdisciplinary analysis. 

He is seen to use psychology as a means of exploring the human side of faith from a pastoral standpoint, in broader theological discussions.

2. Henri Nouwen enrolled Religion and Psychiatry Program

Menninger Clinic Building in Topeka, KS. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Picture By 25or6to4

After receiving his doctorandus, Nouwen studied for two years as a Fellow in the Religion and Psychiatry Program at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, and was influenced by psychologist Gordon Allport.

Nouwen completed his clinical pastoral training at the Topeka State Hospital and graduated from the Menninger Foundation’s training program in theology and psychiatric theory on June 19, 1965. 

During his time at the Clinic, he found he preferred direct contact with patients over the more scientific and medical analysis of certain branches of psychology.

This prompted an examination of his professional practice in order to better integrate spiritual ministry with modern psychology.

3. Henri was a Professor at Yale Divinity School

Yale Divinity School, New Haven. Picture Courtesy of By Carol M. Highsmith.

Between 1971 and 1981 Nouwen was a professor of pastoral theology at Yale Divinity School where he began to establish a broad readership of his work as a contributor to various publications including the National Catholic Reporter and as the author of several books based on personal experience. During his time at Yale, Nouwen took several sabbaticals, some of which informed his writing.

4. Henri’s appointment as a Professor at Havard Divinity School

Andover Hall, home to the Harvard Divinity School at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. By Daderot

After leaving Yale in 1981, Nouwen took a six-month trip to South America visiting Bolivia and Peru.

Upon his return to the United States in 1983, Nouwen was appointed at the Havard Divinity School as Professor of Divinity and Horace De Y. Lentz Lecturer.

The half-time appointment allowed Nouwen to split his time between teaching at the Divinity School and working with a theological center in Latin America. 

Nouwen taught at the school until his resignation in 1985. In 1985 and 1986 he spent nine months with the L’Arche community in France.

5. Nouwen struggle with his sexuality

Nouwen struggled with his sexuality, which may have contributed to his feelings of self-doubt.

Although this struggle was known by those close to him, Nouwen never publicly identified as homosexual despite acknowledging the matter in discussions with friends and alluding to a personal struggle in his private journals.

In his book “The Prodigal son”, Nouwen describes a friendship that had him under a spell, did him no good, and when it finally collapsed left him in a depressive mood and in search of self-esteem and acceptance by others.

6. Nouwen was a good author and best seller

The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen’s famous book Wikimedia

Before his death, at least Nouwen published 39 books and authored hundreds of articles.^  His books have sold over 7 million copies worldwide and have been published in more than 30 languages.

^  In a magazine survey conducted by Christian Century in 2003 Nouwen’s work was indicated as the first choice of authors for Catholic and mainline Protestant clergy.

His books include The Wounded Healer, In the Name of Jesus, Clowning in Rome, The Life of the Beloved, and The Way of the Heart, along with what is recognized as one of his most popular books, The Return of the Prodigal Son.

7. Nouwen was a good Public speaker

Nouwen was a frequent public speaker. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he also traveled extensively leading retreats and preaching. 

It was not uncommon for Nouwen to enthusiastically jump around or wave his arms and hands during speaking events and classroom lectures.

8. Nouwen has won several Prizes

He was a gifted author and this give him a chance of winning several awards. The awards include the Christopher Award(1984) for Glaciers.

The Christopher Award is presented to the producers, directors, and writers of books, films, and television specials that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit”.

It is given by The Christophers, a Christian organization founded in 1945 by the Maryknoll priest James Keller.

9. Nouwen suffered a sudden heart attack

Depiction of a person suffering from a heart attack (Myocardial Infarction). By .myupchar.com.

Nouwen died in the Netherlands on September 21, 1996, from a sudden heart attack. He was on route to Russia to participate in a Dutch documentary about his book The Return of Prodigal son.

Nouwen’s first funeral Mass was held on September 24 at St. Catherine’s Cathedral in Utrecht with a eulogy offered by Jean Vanier, after which Nouwen’s body was flown to Canada for burial by the L’Arche Daybreak community.

He was laid to rest in a pine coffin in L’Arche Daybreak. The Woody and colorfully painted by members of the community.

10. Nouwen suffered from Loneliness

Nouwen was known to suffer from loneliness and a need for interpersonal connection, which he wrote about openly.

 His popularity as a spiritual guide has been linked to his capacity to describe his personal struggles in a relatable manner.

He credited his approach to an interest in the daily life of people and his own journey with the Christian life.